Winner wins a demodingship.

Yanks Don't Want Beltran? Now That's Big
By MURRAY CHASS
New York Times

Published: January 4, 2005

LET'S select the five most intriguing stories of the off-season. In this opinion, they would be the Mets' signing of Pedro Martínez, Boston's signing of David Wells, the Yankees' acquisition of Randy Johnson, Oakland's trades of Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, and Washington's attempt to lose the Expos before it had them.

But if a weekend signal is accurate, the most intriguing story has yet to happen. If it does happen, it will be a nonmove, as opposed to the Martínez, Wells, Johnson, Hudson and Mulder moves.

The nonmove? The Yankees will not sign Carlos Beltran, the most attractive, and expensive, position player on the free-agent market. But it's not just that the Yankees will not be signing Beltran. The story would be that the Yankees will not even try to sign him.

That was the surprising signal from a baseball official over the weekend. The official, who is in a position to hear such things, heard last week that the Yankees did not plan to pursue Beltran.

"Someone told me the other day, if they get Johnson they wouldn't go after Beltran," the official, who refused to be named, said. "Even the Yankees have to have a limit."

No one has ever accused George Steinbrenner of having a payroll limit. What an awful thing to say about the freest-spending owner in the Western world.

Sure, once in a while Brian Cashman, the Yankees' general manager, mutters something about a budget, and he tries to sound sincere. The Yankees, like all teams, are also required to submit a budget to the commissioner's office, which they have done for this year. But just like records, budgets are meant to be broken.

Beltran's becoming a victim of a Yankees budget wouldn't simply be the most intriguing story of this off-season; it would be the most stunning development in years. It would also crush Scott Boras, Beltran's agent, who is counting not only on the Yankees' interest but also on what would be a rare instance of the Yankees and the Mets directly competing for a player.

To have the Yankees yank their interest, just when the Mets are heating up theirs, would be a cruel trick to play on Boras. But then some clubs say Boras has been a cruel trick that has been played on them for years.

Mets officials, including the team's principal owner, Fred Wilpon, met with Beltran in Puerto Rico yesterday. They made no offer but are expected to make one this week.

The Yankees, including Steinbrenner, the principal owner, have met with Beltran, too; they have made no offer. In fact, when Cashman was asked about Beltran last week, he said, "We have to decide if we're going to be a player in this."

The reporters on the conference call who heard Cashman's comment had a hearty chuckle in private; of course the Yankees were going to be a player in the bidding for Beltran, a major player. But Cashman may have been speaking the truth. The Yankees had not decided what they would do about Beltran, who batted .435, slugged 8 home runs and drove in 14 runs in Houston's 12 playoff games in October.

Some Yankees officials know what they would like to do. Giving Beltran $17 million or more a year for seven or more years would be too much money over too long a period.

That thinking is presumably what led to what the baseball official heard about the Yankees' not pursuing Beltran if they acquired Johnson.

The Yankees should have Johnson by the end of the week. With Commissioner Bud Selig's reluctant approval yesterday of the trade with Arizona, the Yankees can begin negotiating a contract extension with Johnson today, under a 72-hour window. When they complete that negotiation, no later than Friday morning, Johnson will waive his no-trade protection.

But a wild card remains in the Beltran business. And the wild card's name is Steinbrenner.

Steinbrenner has said that he likes Beltran, but that he has not said if he wants him. Every other Yankees executive can be opposed to giving Beltran $17 million or more a year for seven or more years, but if the owner says do it, they will ask Boras, "Where do we send the money?"

If the Mets are prepared to offer Beltran a hefty contract, Boras would have no problem putting Beltran into a Mets uniform. Boras's history demonstrates that he is more interested in contract terms than geographical location, and the Mets are serious about wanting to sign Beltran.

This is not a Vladimir Guerrero escapade of last off-season, when the Mets made a ridiculously low offer. The Mets' offer will be competitive. But Boras would still prefer to have the Yankees join the competition.

Steinbrenner could be lured into competing for Beltran because of his hitting, fielding and base-running talents - or because the Mets want him. Historically, when the Mets have done something major, Steinbrenner has tried to counter with a major move. When the Mets signed Martínez last month, the Yankees intensified their efforts to acquire Johnson.

If the Mets were to sign Beltran, the Yankees would probably be left without a major move as retaliation. So the more spirited an effort the Mets make for Beltran, the more tempted Steinbrenner may be to ignore his advisers and go after Beltran himself.

Should Steinbrenner choose to sit out the chase, though, his decision would become the No. 1 story of the winter.

ZombiePyre: Stingray, did you or did you not put a knife through a canoli and stab it through Sean Cold's apartment door?

oauncensored (11:29:37 PM): can i interview you for the site?
ZombiePyre (11:30:16 PM): what site?
oauncensored (11:30:48 PM): <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://oauncensore.blogspot.com">http://oauncensore.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->
oauncensored (11:30:49 PM): oops
oauncensored (11:30:57 PM): <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://oauncensored.blogspot.com">http://oauncensored.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->
ZombiePyre (11:31:26 PM): yeah, sure. Okay.
oauncensored (11:31:37 PM): when did you start posting on message boards?
ZombiePyre (11:32:38 PM): OA.com was the first messageboard I ever posted on. Back when I was still a huge fan of O&A, I heard them mention the site 3 times an hour, so I wanted to check it out.
oauncensored (11:33:00 PM): werent you a big poster on Something Awful?
ZombiePyre (11:33:29 PM): no, I was introduced to SomethingAwful through someone from OA.com.
oauncensored (11:33:48 PM): i see
oauncensored (11:34:06 PM): which, i might add, is a spectacular message board at times
oauncensored (11:34:21 PM): most of the content outside the board is stellar as well
ZombiePyre (11:35:13 PM): oh yeah, I love that place. It's the one forum where they all make a legitmate attempt to keep drama off the boards, so the place it just fun. Most of the people there are people like me, left another messageboard due to shitty drama.
oauncensored (11:36:03 PM): you dont find drama entertaining?
ZombiePyre (11:37:05 PM): absolutely not. I always hated it. I would listen to it (mainly because it's all people would talk about), but I would genuinely attempt to stay out of it.
ZombiePyre (11:37:45 PM): I always believed that the forum should be about whatever it was created to talk about, not about it's members.
ZombiePyre (11:38:32 PM): NJStrawberries wacky and zany sex habits might be funny, but doesnt it just cause problems down the road?
oauncensored (11:38:47 PM): so what?
oauncensored (11:38:56 PM): isnt that what makes for good posting?
ZombiePyre (11:40:05 PM): I really don't know. Bringing up shit about a member's personal life just seems destructive in the long term. Somebody posts something, then the "victim" has to one-up them, and it just goes on and on until everybody is dragged into it.
oauncensored (11:40:22 PM): but doesnt that person make it fair game if they post it first?
ZombiePyre (11:41:04 PM): yes, they do. What I'm saying is that it should never come up in a messageboard.
ZombiePyre (11:42:10 PM): put it like this: we were on a OPIE AND ANTHONY MESSAGEBOARD. If that's the case, what should it matter who Shotgirl is banging this week, or what NJStrawberry is sticking inside herself now.
oauncensored (11:42:25 PM): dont you think that naturally people tend to start posting things about their actual lives?
ZombiePyre (11:42:52 PM): yeah, and maybe that's the problem.
ZombiePyre (11:43:05 PM): now, let me say right now that I am biased:
ZombiePyre (11:44:00 PM): for the last few years, I've been on the SA forums, where Drama is nuked from a orbital cannon in outer space the second it crawls out of some camwhores vagina, so I'm used to things like this.
oauncensored (11:44:21 PM): one of my favorite threads you ever did was about subcultures
oauncensored (11:44:38 PM): one was about goths for example
ZombiePyre (11:45:05 PM): oh yeah. I kinda remeber that. It's been a really long time.
oauncensored (11:45:10 PM): dont you think discussing people in at least the generic sense, and how they tend to act in groups is interesting?
oauncensored (11:45:17 PM): without getting personal
ZombiePyre (11:46:29 PM): oh yeah, absolutely. I believe the problem is when the human element comes into play. When the poster's problems are being discussed, it becomes more personal than talking about some faceless group.
ZombiePyre (11:47:39 PM): I've always thought of it in these terms: when you are on a messageboard, you stay as long as it's entertaining. I've always looked at drama as not entertaining, that's probably why I left so many forums.
ZombiePyre (11:48:13 PM): because on OA and CDIH, it was ALL personal. It was ALL drama. I just don't think that's entertaining.
oauncensored (11:48:28 PM): do you think message boards wind up getting a pack mentality and wind up as an us against them deal no matter what?
ZombiePyre (11:49:47 PM): absolutely not. It depends on who is running the place. If the owner of the board doesn't stop drama, then the mentality will happen. If it's shutdown immediately, then it's never a problem.
oauncensored (11:50:22 PM): so you really were not down with the CDIH ethic
oauncensored (11:50:39 PM): anything goes, uncensored
oauncensored (11:50:53 PM): no banning, no deleting, no censoring
ZombiePyre (11:51:31 PM): I suppose not. Those rules are set in place to help the drama in a way.
ZombiePyre (11:52:18 PM): I know I sound like a scumbag now by saying it, especially since I was there on the first day of the board, but I just don't understand CDIH at all.
oauncensored (11:53:34 PM): no its cool
oauncensored (11:53:38 PM): i respect your candor
ZombiePyre (11:53:58 PM): It all comes back to the fact that I hate Drama, that's all. CDIH is drama to me, so I don't like it. It's not because I don't like Eddie (whom I cannot say enough good things about), it's not because I hate anybody on CDIH, I just don't understand that "go for the jugular" mentality.
oauncensored (11:54:40 PM): i understand
oauncensored (11:54:50 PM): i find it entertaining
oauncensored (11:54:55 PM): i like both kinds of boards
oauncensored (11:54:58 PM): the serious ones
oauncensored (11:55:09 PM): where you can discuss a topic and have it stay on topic
oauncensored (11:55:13 PM): without getting personal
oauncensored (11:55:23 PM): but i also like the free for all at cdih
oauncensored (11:55:29 PM): i think theres a place for both
ZombiePyre (11:55:39 PM): and that's why you would like CDIH. It's just personal preference really.
oauncensored (11:56:21 PM): i also think at times there are some good in depth serious discussions at CDIH
oauncensored (11:56:29 PM): the gay marriage thread being a good example of that
ZombiePyre (11:57:30 PM): I really wouldn't know. I logged in a few days ago just to check it out real quick, but I don't think I checked any threads in depth. I'm sure you can check the server logs to find that out.
ZombiePyre (12:01:06 AM): by this lull in the conversation, I will assume that you are, in fact, checking the server logs now, hahaha
oauncensored (12:01:21 AM): sorry battey was dying
oauncensored (12:01:24 AM): on my laptop
oauncensored (12:01:29 AM): i had to run and get the plug
oauncensored (12:01:33 AM): in fear id lose this
ZombiePyre (12:01:41 AM): no problem.
oauncensored (12:02:02 AM): what do you do now?
oauncensored (12:02:08 AM): do you still post on board?
oauncensored (12:02:11 AM): boards
ZombiePyre (12:02:29 AM): yeah, I'm still on SA to this day.
oauncensored (12:02:51 AM): any interest still in O&A?
ZombiePyre (12:03:18 AM): Yeah, I admit that I bought an XM radio. I've been listening since the second week.
oauncensored (12:04:00 AM): do you have any interest to get back to posting on O&A boards?
ZombiePyre (12:05:17 AM): probably not. I've been soured by the whole OA.com experience. Besides, in retrospect, a messageboard about a radio show is kinda silly. "Hey guys, wasn't that a great bit?" "It sure was!"
oauncensored (12:05:38 AM): what do you post about on Something Awful?
ZombiePyre (12:07:37 AM): it's hard to describe SA without actually seeing it. Essentially, you can do anything you want. One of the main reasons there isn't drama there is because many of those people are sick and tired of drama from previous messageboards, and just want to have fun. The site has close to 35,000 ACTIVE users, so they must be doing something right.
ZombiePyre (12:08:14 AM): Hybrid posts mainly in the music discussion forum. I hang out in the tech forum, the games forum, and the general discussion forum.
oauncensored (12:08:40 AM): oh ive posted here and there
ZombiePyre (12:08:41 AM): Since there are so many people there, each forum is essentially it's own website.
oauncensored (12:08:49 AM): under keyser soze
oauncensored (12:09:03 AM): its an incredible board
oauncensored (12:09:56 AM): did you ever post on wackbag?
ZombiePyre (12:09:58 AM): wait, is this you? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.somethingawful.com/member.....d=55912">http://forums.somethingawful.com/member.....d=55912</a><!-- m -->
oauncensored (12:10:18 AM): no
oauncensored (12:10:19 AM): keyser soze
ZombiePyre (12:11:14 AM): eh close enough. To answer your question, no, I never did. The only times I ever posted on there was during the OA.com/Wackbag "wars", just to fuck with them.
oauncensored (12:11:25 AM): so you did participate in drama!
ZombiePyre (12:12:36 AM): well, I wouldn't call that drama, per se. Those were more like "you guys suck, we rule, your mom wears combat boots" kinda stuff. I didn't talk about fofolina's starving children or anything.
oauncensored (12:12:57 AM): what did you rag on them about?
ZombiePyre (12:13:25 AM): jeez, I don't even remember. I think I only got out like 2 posts before I was banned.
oauncensored (12:13:39 AM): typical
ZombiePyre (12:14:39 AM): That was it, I never joined up again. I figured that if the would just delete the post and account so no one would see it, I was just wasting my time. Time I could use to learn something useful, like... uh.. fixing a car or something manly.
oauncensored (12:14:54 AM): true
oauncensored (12:15:11 AM): so you think the whole board wars are pretty silly?
ZombiePyre (12:15:54 AM): nah, they were fun, I suppose. Those board wars, at least in my experience, never got too personal.
oauncensored (12:16:26 AM): you should read <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://oauncensored.blogspot.com">http://oauncensored.blogspot.com</a><!-- m --> and see how personal they actually got
ZombiePyre (12:17:50 AM): well, a lot of that stuff was before my time. I signed up on OA.com a few months after the bang party, so by the time I got there, that heat was dying down.
oauncensored (12:18:22 AM): from people who were around then, you are still remembered as one of the best posters around. thanks for giving me your time
ZombiePyre (12:19:15 AM): no problem man. Please feel free to mangle my words so that it looks like I rape nuns as a profession.
oauncensored (12:19:24 AM): will do!
oauncensored (12:19:34 AM): good evening to you sir
ZombiePyre (12:19:42 AM): good evening, take care.

SoupSoupAD: can i get an interview?
SoupSoupAD: for oauncensored?
SoupSoupAD: could i get a 1 on 1?
SoupSoupAD: a serious one
TorontoHottie27: what serious shit are you talking about
SoupSoupAD: not serious topics
SoupSoupAD: just want to do a real interview
TorontoHottie27: and fuck off with trying to fucking corner me, cock
SoupSoupAD: i was just inviting you to the chat
SoupSoupAD: sorry
TorontoHottie27: bring it
SoupSoupAD: i cant control them
SoupSoupAD: so what happened with MB?
SoupSoupAD: YMB
TorontoHottie27: I left.

SoupSoupAD: why?
TorontoHottie27: I can't believe you still care. Get a hobby dude.
SoupSoupAD: well thats sort of the point of the interview
SoupSoupAD: to talk about board topics
SoupSoupAD: have you seen the site?
SoupSoupAD: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://oauncensored.blogspot.com">http://oauncensored.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->
TorontoHottie27: baby, I've no idea what you're up to, if you want me to particpate, send it to [email protected], and I'll look at it from work tomorrow. I won't play the stupid shit anymore though, nor give you ammo or gaming material. Nice to hear from you though.
SoupSoupAD: no you miss the point
SoupSoupAD: its to get YOUR side of the story
SoupSoupAD: its not a bash interview
TorontoHottie27: there is no "side", nor do I care to have my persona/board name focussed on

find something else, I won't play
SoupSoupAD: oh in that case thanks anyway
SoupSoupAD: i was just looking for your side
TorontoHottie27: be well keyser
SoupSoupAD: same to you, i meant no ill will, just wanted you to get your side of it out
TorontoHottie27: again......no "side". Too silly to even acknowledge anymore. Really.
SoupSoupAD: ok
TorontoHottie27 is idle at 11:14:21 PM.
TorontoHottie27 is no longer idle at 11:18:40 PM.

SoupSoupAD (5:47:22 PM): do you have time for an interview?
kldafrlka (5:47:31 PM): sure
SoupSoupAD (5:47:37 PM): cool
SoupSoupAD (5:48:05 PM): when did you start posting on message boards?
kldafrlka (5:48:45 PM): I guess it was late '99
SoupSoupAD (5:48:54 PM): on where?
kldafrlka (5:48:57 PM): OA.com
kldafrlka (5:49:06 PM): it was right after the fingerbang incident
SoupSoupAD (5:50:03 PM): when did you become a "martyr" /
SoupSoupAD (5:50:04 PM): ?
kldafrlka (5:50:48 PM): Good question
kldafrlka (5:51:23 PM): I can't remember the first act of martyrdom, but it was loosely based on some shit b/w me and froy
SoupSoupAD (5:51:45 PM): can you think of one signifigant incident of martyrdom on oa.com ?
kldafrlka (5:52:36 PM): Pretty much any time I got in an argument with a mod it was written of as me acting as a martyr for the oppressed posters
kldafrlka (5:53:02 PM): I'm not sure anything I've ever posted on any board should be considered significant
SoupSoupAD (5:53:30 PM): ha, well we are taking something to ridiculously signifigant levels here, but thats the point
SoupSoupAD (5:53:33 PM): its meant to be in jest
kldafrlka (5:54:03 PM): Getting banned by froy and having all of the mods arguing against him was good
SoupSoupAD (5:54:08 PM): do you take your posting seriously?
kldafrlka (5:54:26 PM): and then getting reinstated by (insert covert mod name)
kldafrlka (5:54:30 PM): nah, not really
SoupSoupAD (5:54:53 PM): so it was all just to fuck around and have fun?
kldafrlka (5:54:55 PM): I get passionate about issues and love to argue them, but it's never anything that would change my life
kldafrlka (5:55:10 PM): to me, it was never personal
kldafrlka (5:55:26 PM): I don't think that you can put too much credence in what people post on the Internet
SoupSoupAD (5:55:26 PM): you never really felt like you were on some OA.com crusade
SoupSoupAD (5:55:33 PM): just trying to stir up some shit for fun
kldafrlka (5:55:34 PM): crusade?
SoupSoupAD (5:55:40 PM): to change the board
kldafrlka (5:55:50 PM): ha! nah, it was kind of like a character
SoupSoupAD (5:55:56 PM): you often wanted to be modded
SoupSoupAD (5:56:19 PM): was it just a goal or did you want to be a part of the board as someone in the position of authority?
kldafrlka (5:56:37 PM): I wanted to access everything... just for curiousity's sake
kldafrlka (5:56:45 PM): the way to get there was the fun of it
SoupSoupAD (5:56:47 PM): to read BTS?
kldafrlka (5:57:11 PM): to be able to edit, to be able to see all the doors, etc
kldafrlka (5:57:37 PM): back then, it was all a mystery. nobody no anybody else, so it was all about your screenname and the character you had built for yourself
SoupSoupAD (5:58:03 PM): what do you say to people who think you've sold out considering your recent posting on wackbag?
kldafrlka (5:58:20 PM): so, knowing that bts existed and that board activities were being discussed there, behing closed doors... of course, I wanted to know what was going on.
kldafrlka (5:58:55 PM): Have I ever really cared what other people think? I always use the name Kid Afrika or some bastardized spelling of same. I'm not trying to hide what I do from anyone.
kldafrlka (5:59:18 PM): I knew there would be comments, but I also knew that I could have some fun posting on wackbag. And I have.
SoupSoupAD (5:59:33 PM): well you were kind of anti-authority on OA.com and now you're sort of like every other poster on wackbag now.
kldafrlka (6:00:38 PM): the veteran members of wackbag know who I am. Stingray has actually been very cool about me re-joining his board.
kldafrlka (6:01:01 PM): I don't have any secret powers on wackbag, that's for sure. but it's kind of a good thing to be a "newb" again
SoupSoupAD (6:01:04 PM): well of course, you play the game now
SoupSoupAD (6:01:17 PM): you dont have the same attitude you did on .com
kldafrlka (6:02:15 PM): That attitude stirred up a lot of shit. It was a lot of fun. I'm not sure I want to go through it again though.
kldafrlka (6:02:50 PM): Besides, the only reason I got away with half of the shit I did on oa.com was because I had people supporting me on the inside. I don't have that at wackbag.
SoupSoupAD (6:02:52 PM): even thought wackbag is even more tightly run than OA.com?
SoupSoupAD (6:03:09 PM): in terms of having something to get riled up about
kldafrlka (6:03:48 PM): wackbag has rules that are typical of most message boards today, I guess. I joined leovilletownsquare.com a while ago... you should see the rules there
SoupSoupAD (6:04:14 PM): we are talking about a show about dick and fart jokes though
kldafrlka (6:04:35 PM): true.
SoupSoupAD (6:04:59 PM): so you are officially nicey nice?
kldafrlka (6:05:23 PM): I've learned that morals, ideals and the US constitution don't make the rules of message boards. The owner of the board does.
kldafrlka (6:05:30 PM): am I nicey nice? NO!
SoupSoupAD (6:05:38 PM): what would be something that would cause you to revert back to kid afrika circa oa.com mode in terms of something wackbag might impose down the line?
SoupSoupAD (6:06:04 PM): you always knew that though, that wasnt the point of your crusades
SoupSoupAD (6:06:32 PM): you were fighting despite the fact the owner sets the rules, the members make the board
kldafrlka (6:06:36 PM): No, my point at the time was that froy's board didn't really mean shit. It wasn't his board that was the key ingredient, it was the members.
SoupSoupAD (6:06:41 PM): right
kldafrlka (6:06:42 PM): exactly.
kldafrlka (6:07:00 PM): And, all of the bastard children of oa.com testify to that.
kldafrlka (6:07:26 PM): wackbag.com and opieanthony.net testify to it as well
kldafrlka (6:08:47 PM): But that's now. Back then, I really thought that froy had let the whole thing go to his head. I wanted to poke holes in his tyranny. And, I think I did once or twice.
SoupSoupAD (6:14:54 PM): you dont think sting has the same problem?
kldafrlka (6:15:21 PM): If he does, I haven't seen it yet.
kldafrlka (6:15:44 PM): And these days, I don't care as much as I once did.
SoupSoupAD (6:15:49 PM): what do you think about him paying $500 to get in the studio?
kldafrlka (6:16:08 PM): IF he did that, I'd say it was foolish
kldafrlka (6:16:42 PM): he could've paid a stripper $500 and used her to get in free and gotten a ton more plugs
SoupSoupAD (6:18:13 PM): can we continue tonight?
SoupSoupAD (6:18:15 PM): i have to run
kldafrlka (6:18:23 PM): how rude!
SoupSoupAD (6:18:28 PM): sorry
kldafrlka (6:18:29 PM): NP...
SoupSoupAD (6:18:34 PM): im getting pulled away here
kldafrlka (6:18:46 PM): I'll try to remember to leave IM open
kldafrlka (6:18:54 PM): c-ya
SoupSoupAD (6:19:18 PM): ok
SoupSoupAD (6:19:20 PM): thanks

a few days later.....

SoupSoupAD (7:40:07 PM): hi
kldafrlka (7:40:18 PM): you are?
SoupSoupAD (7:40:22 PM): ha
SoupSoupAD (7:40:25 PM): sorry
kldafrlka (7:40:27 PM): np
SoupSoupAD (7:40:45 PM): can we continue our interview now? do you have some time?
kldafrlka (7:40:55 PM): now's as good a time as any
SoupSoupAD (7:40:59 PM): cool
kldafrlka (7:41:17 PM): I am working on something, so if there's a delay in responding...
SoupSoupAD (7:41:21 PM): no worries
SoupSoupAD (7:42:04 PM): so, we left off talking about wackbag
kldafrlka (7:42:20 PM): yep
SoupSoupAD (7:42:22 PM): and how people might feel you have done a 180
kldafrlka (7:42:44 PM): have I really done a 180 though?
SoupSoupAD (7:42:48 PM): well
kldafrlka (7:42:52 PM): I meant it's been a few years since all that shit went down
SoupSoupAD (7:42:57 PM): wackbag is oa.com times a thousand
SoupSoupAD (7:43:05 PM): but you seem to accept it now
kldafrlka (7:44:15 PM): I guess because time has passed maybe I've changed a bit. I always did maintain that i am human and as such subject to change my mind or view about basically anything
SoupSoupAD (7:44:25 PM): of course
SoupSoupAD (7:44:31 PM): what do you think influenced that?
kldafrlka (7:44:40 PM): Maturity
SoupSoupAD (7:45:29 PM): do you think you'll get bored with being forced to hold back your true feelings on the board?
kldafrlka (7:45:30 PM): working in the professional world I've realized that sometimes being right has nothing to do with winning
SoupSoupAD (7:45:40 PM): what are you trying to win on wackbag?
SoupSoupAD (7:45:43 PM): acceptance?
kldafrlka (7:45:53 PM): not at all
SoupSoupAD (7:45:57 PM): to be part of stingrays inner circle?
kldafrlka (7:46:02 PM): not at all
kldafrlka (7:46:29 PM): what I was saying is that sometimes you just have to play by the rules if you want to play at all
SoupSoupAD (7:46:51 PM): even if those rules are against your core beliefs?
kldafrlka (7:47:03 PM): I like participating in boards associated with the show. wackbag is the one right now.
SoupSoupAD (7:47:29 PM): so you are willing to sacrifice what you believe for a chance to post on a message board?
kldafrlka (7:47:48 PM): I really don't see where I would have a problem voicing my opinion on any topic on wackbag. I may have to use a bit of tact (which I never did in the past), but I can still voice my opinion.
SoupSoupAD (7:48:11 PM): people have been banned for simply being critical about the show
SoupSoupAD (7:48:17 PM): or too negative
SoupSoupAD (7:48:39 PM): or just cause they happen to be from .net or cdih
kldafrlka (7:49:07 PM): I think stingray has made some changes recently and will be a bit more tolerant of those situations
SoupSoupAD (7:49:31 PM): really?
SoupSoupAD (7:49:35 PM): what changes are those?
kldafrlka (7:49:48 PM): he did invite everyone who's ever been banned to re-register with a clean slate
SoupSoupAD (7:50:51 PM): but still under the same ridiculous rules
SoupSoupAD (7:51:05 PM): i dont even see that offer made on the site either
kldafrlka (7:51:47 PM): it was there
kldafrlka (7:52:08 PM): and yes, some of the rules are a bit over the top, but I guess he's trying to keep the board in good standing with the show
kldafrlka (7:52:34 PM): and considering all of the plugs he gets, I think it's working
SoupSoupAD (7:52:56 PM): why do you think the board needs plugs or association with the show? dont you think its more trouble than its worth?
kldafrlka (7:53:32 PM): it brings a lot of hassles at times sure, but at the end of the day, you get a bunch of people together talking about the show that we all listen to
SoupSoupAD (7:54:07 PM): but you are the shows bitch
SoupSoupAD (7:54:19 PM): you cant be critical
kldafrlka (7:54:27 PM): yep, we've seen that in the past
SoupSoupAD (7:55:27 PM): did you ever have beef with gonzo?
kldafrlka (7:55:32 PM): I think if you have a legitimate(sp?) gripe with the show you can voice it. Lately, most of the complaints have been shit that's such a non-issue
kldafrlka (7:55:49 PM): sure, I've gotten into some shit with GS in the past
SoupSoupAD (7:56:01 PM): over what?
kldafrlka (7:56:47 PM): don't really remember, I think we got into it over something on oa.com and I started going off on him about personal shit (that had previously been discussed on the board)...
kldafrlka (7:57:11 PM): then at a softball game I went up to shake his hand and he wouldn't acknowledge me. He played me for such the fool.
kldafrlka (7:57:59 PM): I totally bought into it that he was mad and only later found out he was jerking my chain. We've since reconciled... he tussled my hair and I let him babysit my nephew.
SoupSoupAD (7:58:17 PM): ha
SoupSoupAD (7:59:37 PM): any other famous feuds?
kldafrlka (8:00:31 PM): have something in mind?
kldafrlka (8:00:50 PM): there's the on-going vos-kid nig fued
SoupSoupAD (8:00:56 PM): ever with italian princess
kldafrlka (8:01:03 PM): not that I remember
SoupSoupAD (8:01:04 PM): opak?
kldafrlka (8:01:36 PM): as I remember, opak quit the board as a result of an argument he and I had
SoupSoupAD (8:01:47 PM): really?
kldafrlka (8:02:02 PM): that's how I remember it, but there may have been more involved
SoupSoupAD (8:02:17 PM): can you be more specific?
kldafrlka (8:02:23 PM): it was so long ago and really was about nothing so I don't remember the details... it may still be on the oa.com archive
SoupSoupAD (8:02:29 PM): he deleted your posts
SoupSoupAD (8:02:35 PM): like, all of them
SoupSoupAD (8:02:41 PM): that was part of the beef
kldafrlka (8:02:49 PM): if you know, why are you testing my memory?
SoupSoupAD (8:03:06 PM): yes, i am testing your memory
SoupSoupAD (8:03:12 PM): trying to pry the info out
SoupSoupAD (8:03:12 PM): ha
kldafrlka (8:03:22 PM): now I kind of remember that I had to do some investigating to find out who deleted my posts because nobody would own up to it
SoupSoupAD (8:03:47 PM): and he quit over the fact someone defended you over him?
kldafrlka (8:03:48 PM): somebody ratted him out, so I called him on it. he was pissed that I was able to find out information and get re-instated after he banned me
SoupSoupAD (8:04:09 PM): you had friends behind the scenes at oa
kldafrlka (8:04:15 PM): of course I did
kldafrlka (8:04:32 PM): Upuauat was kind enough to take me under his wing early on
kldafrlka (8:04:42 PM): and through that, I had an in with Sean
SoupSoupAD (8:05:18 PM): ever have a falling out with sean?
kldafrlka (8:05:44 PM): I did quit as a mod of cdih because he was breaking my balls about not doing enough
kldafrlka (8:06:17 PM): I over-reacted and deleted my account... we laughed about it later, but I never asked or was invited back to be a mod
SoupSoupAD (8:06:57 PM): what do you think about sean leaving cdih and pretty much saying everyone on it was joke
kldafrlka (8:06:59 PM): at the time, we really had some grander ideas about how a board should be run and how there should be limited rules and no overbearing mods
kldafrlka (8:07:34 PM): I think once you hear the term "the SeanCold" it does put things in perspective.
kldafrlka (8:08:13 PM): I remember when I first joined oa.com it all seemed so big and the mods seemed like they had some sort of power. It was like being popular or being part of the in crowd mattered.
kldafrlka (8:08:49 PM): eventually I found out that the mods treated each other as much like scumbags as the members did
SoupSoupAD (8:10:59 PM): it was all a game
kldafrlka (8:12:02 PM): it's kind of like wrestling... unless you notice that every conflict is blown up beyond proportion and never solved on broadcast tv but rather on the pay-per-view shows, it's pretty entertainign
SoupSoupAD (8:13:14 PM): but it seems like people really did get pissed
kldafrlka (8:13:19 PM): some did
SoupSoupAD (8:13:27 PM): tell us about kee kee
kldafrlka (8:13:41 PM): what is there to tell?
kldafrlka (8:14:04 PM): we hung out a few times, neither of us was really into the other so it went away
kldafrlka (8:14:15 PM): haven't talked to her in years
SoupSoupAD (8:16:48 PM): i had to ask
kldafrlka (8:17:07 PM): I wish it was a better story. But, it's not
SoupSoupAD (8:17:41 PM): any other board hook ups?
kldafrlka (8:18:12 PM): None to speak of
kldafrlka (8:19:19 PM): I talked to tankgrrl for a while, but she had a man so that wasn't going anywhere
kldafrlka (8:19:53 PM): I hung out with BeckyDC once, but when I met up with her Sean was with her... she was more of a friend than anything anyway
SoupSoupAD (8:20:22 PM): becky got around
SoupSoupAD (8:20:23 PM): ha
kldafrlka (8:20:36 PM): becky was a nice girl
kldafrlka (8:20:46 PM): that's what I CHOOSE to believe
SoupSoupAD (8:21:22 PM): that awful posting style
SoupSoupAD (8:21:31 PM): ~~**
kldafrlka (8:21:33 PM): ha ha
kldafrlka (8:21:44 PM): aol chat obviously had an influence on her
SoupSoupAD (8:22:33 PM): what about shelle bink
SoupSoupAD (8:22:38 PM): did you know her?
kldafrlka (8:23:32 PM): I think I met her once at a board gathering, but I'm not sure. I did talk to her a few times on AIM. She was friggin' nuts.
SoupSoupAD (8:24:11 PM): nuts?
SoupSoupAD (8:24:15 PM): how so?
kldafrlka (8:24:53 PM): The shit that went on in her life was just too much for someone her age
kldafrlka (8:25:04 PM): to say she had issues would be putting it very lightly
SoupSoupAD (8:25:40 PM): and she shared them with you?
kldafrlka (8:26:16 PM): nah, most if it was evident or explicitly revealed in her posts on the board
SoupSoupAD (8:40:41 PM): and now
SoupSoupAD (8:40:46 PM): for the questionairre
SoupSoupAD (8:40:53 PM): but with a spin
SoupSoupAD (8:40:54 PM): first
SoupSoupAD (8:41:00 PM): i will give you a series of names
SoupSoupAD (8:41:09 PM): give me your first impression that comes to mind
SoupSoupAD (8:41:11 PM): gooch
kldafrlka (8:41:28 PM): funny
SoupSoupAD (8:41:44 PM): jeff from foundry
kldafrlka (8:42:01 PM): cocky
SoupSoupAD (8:42:14 PM): stingray
kldafrlka (8:43:07 PM): dice
SoupSoupAD (8:43:39 PM): dice?
kldafrlka (8:43:53 PM): his sig pic
SoupSoupAD (8:44:27 PM): gonzo
kldafrlka (8:44:49 PM): eddie
kldafrlka (8:45:07 PM): actually, Hyde
SoupSoupAD (8:45:14 PM): hyde???
kldafrlka (8:45:34 PM): did you forget about gonzo on oa.com? (not gonzostyle)
SoupSoupAD (8:45:38 PM): no
SoupSoupAD (8:45:43 PM): i mean yes
SoupSoupAD (8:45:47 PM): i did forget
kldafrlka (8:48:06 PM): then it's not as funny
SoupSoupAD (8:48:22 PM): alkey
kldafrlka (8:48:31 PM): ATM
SoupSoupAD (8:48:45 PM): magus
kldafrlka (8:49:08 PM): gaymer
SoupSoupAD (8:55:50 PM): maynard
kldafrlka (8:56:11 PM): strange
SoupSoupAD (8:56:24 PM): sleeper
kldafrlka (8:56:57 PM): insomniac
SoupSoupAD (8:57:03 PM): goatweed
kldafrlka (8:57:10 PM): ???
SoupSoupAD (8:57:22 PM): no impression?
kldafrlka (8:57:50 PM): nope, not really
SoupSoupAD (8:58:11 PM): thanks, im going to try something different this time
SoupSoupAD (8:58:20 PM): im gonna post this, THEN do the audience Q&A
SoupSoupAD (8:58:29 PM): that way there are no overlapping questions
kldafrlka (8:59:17 PM): ok

I am partial to yekla, its good for a boy or a girl.

Here's the top 5, each show recieved 4 votes a piece.

I haven't seen a single episode of Lost, is it really any good?

galt and i are completely responsible for wackbag.com closing its registration.